In Biology, learning about what is Haploid and Diploid is an important topic. According to various sources, the term ‘Ploidy’ refers to the number of sets of Chromosomes that are present within a nucleus. There are different types of Ploidy, and the two most prominent types of Ploidy are Haploid and Diploid. Haploid Cells contain one set of Chromosomes. On the other hand, Diploid Cells contain two sets of Chromosomes. It should be noted that in Diploid, both sets of Chromosomes are from the parents, one from each.

Also, if there are more than two sets of Chromosomes for all Cells, then that state is known as Polyploidy. In the case of Polyploidy, the sets of Chromosomes can range from three, which are known as triploid, to as high as 64, which are known as tetrahex contaploid. Readers might also be shocked to find that in silkworm a 10,48,576 Ploidy is found!

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The Meaning of Haploid and Diploid

Haploid Cells

Now, let’s first look at what Haploid Cells are. As mentioned above, Haploid Cells have only a single set of Chromosomes. The most common type of Haploid Cells is Sex Cells or gametes. These Cells are produced through Meiosis and are quite diverse in terms of Genetics.

When the Haploid Cells from both male and female gametes fuse together during fertilization, it forms Diploid Cells. Gametes are reproductive Cells that are found in many organisms. These Cells are formed during the process of Reproduction.

The number of Chromosomes present in gametes is half the number of Chromosomes that are present in somatic Cells. The male gamete carried the paternal set of Chromosomes. On the other hand, the female gamete carries the maternal set of Chromosomes.

Gametes are important because these Cells help in maintaining the constant number of Chromosomes in organisms that reproduce Sexually. The number of Chromosomes in Sex Cells of Humans is equal to 23 Chromosomes.

Diploid Cells

In Diploid Cells, there are two sets of Chromosomes. Diploid Cells are formed due to the fusion of two Haploid Cells. Most mammals are Diploid. This means that mammals have two homologous copies of each Chromosome in the Cells. These Cells are produced through mitosis.

All somatic Cells in Human beings are Diploid Cells. It should be noted that every Cell except the proliferating Cells of the reproductive system classifies under the category of somatic Cells. One set of Chromosomes is inherited from the father, while the other set of Chromosomes is inherited from the mother.

It is interesting to note that there are also some organisms in which the somatic Cells are tetraploid, which have four sets of Chromosomes, or hexaploid, which have six sets of Chromosomes.

The chances of spontaneous mutations are also higher in somatic Cells than Haploid Cells. There are also around 220 types of somatic Cells in Humans. Hence, the nature and the content of the Cells in Humans depend on the type of somatic Cells. Also, the total number of Chromosomes in somatic Cells of Human beings is 46.

In this section, the difference between Diploid and Haploid Cells is discussed. These differences are mentioned in the table below.

Differentiate Between Haploid and Diploid

Basis for Comparison	Diploid Cells	Haploid Cells
Definition	In Diploid Cells, there are two sets of Chromosomes, one from each parent.	In Haploid or Monoploid Cells, there is only a single copy of each Chromosome.
Cell Division	These Cells are formed after Mitotic Cell division.	These Cells are formed after Meiotic Cell division.
Number of Chromosomes	Since there are two sets of Chromosomes, the total number of Chromosomes is double the number of Chromosomes present in Haploid Cells.	Since there is only a single set of Chromosomes, there are half the number of Chromosomes in comparison to Diploid Cells.
Type of Cells	Diploid Cells are present in somatic Cells of various Vertebrates.	Haploid Cells are observed in gametes or Sex Cells of various vertebrates.
Similarity with Parent Cells	The Diploid Cells that are formed after mitosis are genetically identical to the parent Cell.	The Haploid Cells that are formed after Meiosis are not genetically identical to the parent Cells because of crossing over.
Alternation of Generation	The Diploid stage of the lifecycle is known as the Sporophytic stage; the Diploid stage is less prominent than the Haploid stage; In the cycle of Pteridophyta, the Diploid stage is more predominant than the Haploid stage.	The Haploid stage of the lifecycle is known as the Gametophytic stage; the Haploid stage is more predominant than the Diploid stage; In Pteridophyta, the Haploid stage is less prominent than the Diploid stage.
Type of Eggs	Diploid organisms are developed from fertilized eggs.	Haploid organisms are developed from unfertilized eggs.
Number of Chromosomes in Humans	There are 46 Chromosomes.	There are 23 Chromosomes.
Importance	These Cells are vital for the growth and development of organisms.	These Cells are important for genetic diversity and Sexual reproduction.
Organisms	Humans, frogs, fishes, and most plants.	Male ants, bees, and wasps.

Meiosis

The process in which the parent Cell divides twice into 4 daughter Cells holding half the original portion of genetic information is called Meiosis. In this process, the daughter Cells are Haploid. The gametes are created by the process of Meiosis. In other words, it is a form of nuclear Cell division that produces the daughter Cells that have half of the Chromosome numbers as the initial Cell.

When Meiosis occurs in Diploid organisms, the outcome is Haploid Cells. All the daughter Cells receive 1 whole set of Chromosomes which includes each homologous pair of Chromosomes. This, in Humans, is the Chromosome number reducing from 46 to 23.

The Cells that experience Meiosis become sperm or eggs. Later at the time of fertilization in Humans, the fusion of a sperm and egg brings back the number of Chromosomes again to 46.

Features of Meiosis

Some features of Meiosis are-

The daughter Cells in this process are Haploid.
Meiosis results in the formation of four daughter Cells with every cycle of Cell division.
The daughter Cells are identical to the mother Cell in shape and size but different in Chromosome number.
Recombination and segregation occur in this process.
Meiosis happens in the reproductive organs and impacts the formation of gametes.
The process is divided into 2 types, Meiosis-I and Meiosis-II. Meiosis-I decreases the Chromosome number to half and is also called reductional division. While, on the other hand, Meiosis-II is just like the mitotic division.

Stages of Meiosis II

Meiosis II is divided into 4 stages-

Prophase II – Prophase II sets off after the cytokinesis when the daughter Cells are developed. The Chromosomes start to condense attended by the dissolution of the nuclear membrane. It also begins the disappearance of the Golgi apparatus and ER complex.
Metaphase II – The Chromosomes are joined to the centriole poles at the kinetochores of sister chromatids. It is connected through the microtubules and they also get aligned at the equator to create the metaphase plate.
Anaphase II – There is a simultaneous splitting of the centromere of each Chromosome and the sister chromatids are drawn away towards the opposite poles in Anaphase II.
Telophase II – The Chromosomes dissolve again into an undifferentiated lump. A nuclear envelope then evolves around it. Followed by cytokinesis, telophase II marks the end of Meiosis and 4 Haploid daughter Cells are formed.

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FAQs on Difference Between Haploid and Diploid

1. How Many Chromosomes are Present in Humans in the Case of Diploid and Haploid Cells?

Haploid Cells are Cells with half of the number of Chromosomes in any Diploid Cell. A Diploid Cell has 46 Chromosomes while a Haploid Human Cell contains 23 Chromosomes. Sperms and Ova are Examples of Haploid Cells. They are Haploid as their fusion (fertilization) results in the zygote, which possesses twice the number of the Haploid Chromosomes. In conclusion, there are 46 Chromosomes in Diploid Cells in Human beings, and in the case of Haploid Cells, there are 23 Chromosomes.

2. Mention Some Examples of Organisms of Both Diploid and Haploid Cells.

Haploid Cells are the type of Cell in an organism having only one single set of Chromosomes. Organisms that reproduce Asexually are always Haploid. Sexually reproducing organisms are always Diploid and Cells of these organisms are Diploid Cells that have 2 sets of Chromosomes(one from each of the parents). In Humans, Haploids are eggs and sperm Cells. Some Examples of Diploid organisms are frogs, fishes, Humans, and most plants. Some Examples of Haploid organisms include bees, male ants, and wasps.

3. Why are Diploid Cells Important?

Diploid Cells are important for the development and growth of various organisms. Diploid Cells are a very important element in the process of reproduction. All adult Humans have 2 sets of Chromosomes. Diploid Cells are formed by the fusion of 2 Haploid Cells(gametes or Sex Cells). Diploid Cells also include mitochondria. Mitochondria holds the DNA which is important as it includes the instructions essential for your Cells to create proteins that impact the functioning of the body in many different processes.

4. Why are Haploid Cells Important?

Haploid Cells play a major role in Sexual reproduction and bringing out genetic diversity. Haploid Cells contain 1 set of Chromosomes(23 Chromosomes). Gametes or Sex Cells are the most common type of Haploid Cells. Haploid Cells are produced by Meiosis and are also genetically diverse. When the Haploid Cells from female and male fuse together during fertilization, it forms a Diploid Cell. The fusion of gametes brings genetic recombination which then leads to variations that are very important for the process of evolution.

5. What is Mitosis and what are its features?

The process of Asexual Reproduction that is obeyed in uniCellular organisms is called Mitosis. Cell division is the major process of reproduction at the Cellular level and most of the eukaryotic Cells divide in a form where the Ploidy (number of Chromosomes) remains the same. The exception is the case of germ Cells in which the number of Chromosomes is divided into two equals of equal genetic material. Mitosis follows the G2 phase and is followed by cytoplasmic division after the separation of the nucleus. The exceptions during the process of mitosis might alter the DNA which results in genetic disorders.

Some features of Mitosis are-

With every cycle of Cell division, 2 daughter Cells are developed from the parent Cell.
The Cell is called the Equational Cell division as the Chromosome number in both, the parent Cell and daughter Cell remains the same.
Mitosis is very essential for the growth of the Cells and the replacement of worn-out Cells.
Mitosis in plants leads to the growth of vegetative parts like root tip, stem tip, etc.
Segregation and combination do not occur in Mitosis.